Encouragement savings bank



Aug. 4, 1964 .1. F. FULTON ENCOURAGEMENT SAVINGS BANK 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 13, 1963 INVENTOR JAMES F. FULTON BYjAu QM}? g- 1954 J. F. FULTON ENCOURAGEMENT SAVINGS BANK 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 15, 1963 JAMES E FULTON United States Patent 3,143,285 ENCGURAGEMENT SAVINGS BANK James F. Fulton, Mamaroneclr, N.Y., assignor to Wilbur W. Randall, West Hartford, Qonn. Filed May 13, 1963, Ser. No. 279,970 8 Claims. (Cl. 232) This invention relates to coin type savings banks and more particularly to such banks provided with at least two coin receiving compartments, each allotted to a different individual, one or more of whom may provide to another an incentive or encouragement to save by matching deposits, coin-for-coin, all of which may then become the property of the rewarded person.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide novel and hnproved types of incentive savings banks.

More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide in a coin savings bank a compartment for each saver together with means requiring the rewarder to deposit a coin to match one previously introduced by the principal saver whereby to complete the delivery of the latters coin into his compartment and the rewarders coin in another compartment to thus provide a savings incentive.

An important object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement of savings compartments at least one of which has a visible coin entry foyer to segregate a coin deposited by the principal saver as a signal to the matcher that it is his turn to make a deposit and so deliver the first coin into its compartment after which the later deposited coin falls into its own compartment.

Another important object of the present invention resides in the provision of unique mechanism for holding the coin deposited by the principal saver in the foyer of a coin compartment until discharged into the savers compartment by a coin deposited by the matcher for immediate delivery into the latters compartment.

A further important object of the invention resides in the use of only stationary means for supporting and guiding coins so that procedures enunciated above are carried out, the entry coin slots being such that the coins are engaged with each other in planes at right angles to each other whereby the second one moves the first one inserted to deliver it to its compartment.

ther and further features and objects of the present invention will be more apparent to those skilled in the art upon a consideration of the attached specification and appended drawings wherein are disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention with the understanding that such changes and modifications may be made therein as fall within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In said drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an encouragement savings bank constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevation, partly in transverse vertical section on the center line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary fore and aft vertical section taken on line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a second form of the invention;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary side elevation thereof looking in the direction of arrow 5;

FIGURE 6 is a plan view thereof; and

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary central vertical section thereof taken on line 77 of FIGURE 5.

The lessening value of coins (in purchasing power) does not seem to have reduced the demand for coin savings banks, indeed their use as gifts or premiums by various savings institutions, and their sale by drug and other types of chain stores appears to have amplified their 'ice usage and increased the requirement for unique features which will contribute to the more rapid accumulation of coins in such banks which might later be deposited with the institutions.

The present invention discloses only two compartments for each bank, one for the primary saver (usually a child) and another for the matcher or encourager (usually a parent) who wishes to provide an additional incentive for the saver by matching his savings coin-for-coin, but

obviously additional pairs of compartments may be pro vided within the purview of the invention if desired.

A first embodiment of the invention is well illustrated in FIGURES l to 3, inclusive, and operates without the use of springs or any moving parts. The bank comprises the main container 10, the overall configuration of which may be arranged for any ornamental requirement, but as shown is of rectangular form and preferably formed of transparent plastic material whose front and rear walls 12 and 14, respectively, end walls 15 and 16 and common partition wall 18, are spaced sufficiently wide apart throughout their full vertical height to permit coins to stack up flatwise in the bottoms of compartments 2t) and 21 of the two tubes, thus formed with the aid of top closure wall 23 and bottom wall 24.

The compartment 21 which is allotted to the original saver is wholly unencumbered and access to it is had only through vertical transfer slot 26 at the top of the partition wall 18 in a manner to be later described.

The slot 23 for the initial deposit of coin A by the original saver extends transversely along through the top wall 23 above compartment 20, and in order to keep this coin centralized in the foyer 30 at the top of this compartment and in a vertical position after deposit therein, a pair of generally triangular wing walls 31 are provided bordering the entry slot 28 as well as the transfer slot 26, as shown. These are attached to Walls 18 and 23 bordering the slots therein and have the slightly concave inclined edges 33, the purpose of which will appear later. Protruding toward the bottom portions of these triangular Web walls is a second smaller pair 35 supported from end wall 15 and connected together by a horizontal shelf 35 extending more than halfway across compartment 20, as best seen in FIGURE 2, which shelf acts to stop and support coin A, which has been introduced through slot 28, in the position illustrated. Should it roll a little to the left it is stopped by the lower edge 58 of slot 26 which is vertically disposed above shelf evel.

The coin is thus held on display in foyer 30 as shown in FIGURE 2. It is maintained vertical by Walls 3% and from falling laterally from the shelf by walls 35.

To dislodge coin A from the foyer where it is displayed as the deposit of the original saver, and as notice to the parent that it is his turn to contribute, the latter must contribute a like coin to thus provide an added incentive for the saver.

When he introduces a coin B, in a horizontal position, through a correspondingly positioned slot 40 in end wall 15 its leading edge immediately engages the edges of standing coin A, as seen in FIGURE 2, where it will be noted that the walls 35 which prevent lateral movement of coin A in the foyer terminate just below the lower edge of slot 40. This latter is positioned at such a height that coin B strikes coin A midway of its height, and serves to push it up over edge 38 and through slot 26 so that it may drop into compartment 21, as indicated by falling coin A. Coin B in a horizontal position, however, when pressed through the slot engages the sloping under walls 33 of the triangular members 31 and is deflected into an almost vertical position, still at right angles, however, to the plane of coin A, and it falls through the gap 42 between the left edge of shelf 36 and partition wall 18 as shown in dotted lines at B to be stacked in compartment 20. The foyer is thus cleared for further deposits.

It will be seen that this form of bank accomplishes all of the purposes of the invention without the use of any moving parts whatsoever, making use of only fixed guides, shelves, and the like, contributing to the simplicity and reliability of the product.

In the second embodiment of the bank, which is illustrated in FIGURES 4 to 7, inclusive, the arrangement is such as to provide a horizontal display or foyer position for the first or savers coin as a signal to the encourager to insert a second coin which results then in the deposit of both coins in their respective compartments. These compartments for the sake of simplicity have been shown as rectangular, as in the first embodiment, and they are both formed into a housing, the lower position of which is similar to that in the first embodiment and includes a savers compartment 50 and an encouragement compartment 51, divided by a partition wall 52.

The compartment 50 is closed at the top by a flat wall 54 and spaced below it a distance just slightly greater than the thickness of a coin is a second wall 55 centrally perforated as at 56 to a diameter somewhat larger than that of a coin. The cover wall 54 is continued, as seen in FIGURE 7, at 58 as an extension in the same plane, closing the upper end of the compartment 51. This wall 58, however, is divided into two portions by a transverse slot extending for the full width of compartment 51. The edges of wall 58 parallel to the slot are secured to the front and rear walls of compartment 51. The facing edges of the slot are somewhat greater than the thickness of a coin to be received in the bank.

Immediately beneath these two partial walls 58 are similar partial walls 66 also secured to the front and rear walls and spaced therefrom to more than the thickness of a coin below 58. Walls 60 are also slightly below the level of wall 55 which closes the upper end of the first compartment and which has the central opening 56 therein. There is provided a short inclined ramp 61 between 55 and 69 to act in a limltlng sense as a partial obstruction to stop any coin, such as A,

which the principal saver may introduce into the slot 63, formed between partial walls 58 and 66. When such coin engages the ramp 61 the latter acts as a stop to keep the coin from falling through the opening 56, but leaves it on display in the slot (foyer) 63.

To provide for the introduction of a second coin B by the encouragement saver and in a vertical edgewise position, as distinguished from the flatwise or horizontal position of the first coin A, a second and intersecting slot 65 is formed by partial walls 66 and 67, as seen in FIGURES 4 and 5.

edges of the horizontal walls and 60, and the ends of the lower portions thereof are secured to the respective end wall and partition wall of compartment 51. The upper walls 66 and 67 are shown are projecting above the general level of the cover for the whole bank 7 and are connected by enclosure strip 76 and a left end wall 71. A corresponding closure wall 72, at the lower edges of wall 66 and 67, which are below the top of the compartment, is widely cut away by slot 74, FIGURE secting slots entering from the right side of the bank provides an ornamental cruciform design, as clearly seen in FIGURES 4 and 5, and completely eliminates, when considered with the ramp and circular opening in the intermediate cover 55 of compartment 50, the need These partial walls are secured a at their junctions or meeting edges to the correspondmg for any springs or moving parts in the whole bank construction.

Neither of the embodiments illustrates any means for opening the bank to remove coins, but obviously any locking mechanism may be resorted to for holding the bottom cover in position, or the whole assembly above the bottom plate may be arrangement to be secured by locking means into an independent socketed base member of ornamental character so that it can be released by a key for removing the coins.

It will be appreciated that in the second embodiment, while the upper portion of the vertical half of the cruciform slot projects above the general level of the cover of the two compartments, this is not essential and that cover could be raised to the level of the top edge of this slot cover to provide a continuous uniform smooth top surface if desired.

I claim:

1. A savings bank for coins comprising in combination; two adjacent, vertically disposed, parallel tubes having individual walls and a common wall, means closing the tube bottoms to provide two coin holding compartments for fiat stacking of coins, a top closure wall for said tube compartments, a coin support means providing a receiving foyer in the upper part of one of said tube compartments, a slot in a foyer wall arranged to admit a coin into said foyer, means providing a fixed obstruction at least partially resisting movement of said coin out of said foyer toward the second tube, an opening in said common Wall adjacent said foyer and having its bottom above said obstruction, a slot disposed in a wall of said foyer opposite said common wall for receiving a second coin and positioning and directing it to engage and push the first coin over said obstruction and through said cominon wall opening for delivery into the other compartment and means to guide said second coin into the first compartment.

2, A savings bank for coins comprising in combination; two adjacent, vertically disposed, parallel tubes having individual walls and a common walhmeans closing the tube bottoms to provide two coin holding compartments for flat stacking of coins, a top closure wall for said tube compartments, a coin receiving foyer in the upper part of one of said tube compartments, a first slot in said top wall arranged to admit a coin into said foyer, means providing a fixed stop isolating said coin in a vertical position in said foyer from the compartment beneath it, a second slot in said common wall adjacent said foyer and having its bottom above said stop, a third slot horizontally disposed in a wall of said foyer opposite said second slot for receiving a second coin adapted to engage and push the first coin over said bottom and through said second slot for delivery into the other compartment and means to guide said second coin into the first compartment.

3. The savings bank as defined in claim 2 in which said fixed stop is a shelf projecting from said wall below said third slot, and means to guide and hold a coin in a vertical position on said shelf after deposit through the top wall slot.

4. The savings bank as defined in claim 3 in which i said guide and hold means comprise triangular w'eb walls extending between the top and common walls and bordering the slots in each.

5. The savings bank as defined in claim 4 in which said shelf terminates short of said common wall by a distance less than the coin diameter and said triangular web walls have lower edges positioned to guide a coin entering through said horizontal slot to pass between the common wall and said edge of said shelf.

6. A coin bank for two savers who must match de posits coin-for-coin having in combination; two adjacent V transparent tubes each sized to stack coins flatwise and having top and bottom walls and a common intermediate Wall, a coin passage through said intermediate Wall, a

foyer in the upper end of one of said tubes, 2. first slot in one outer wall of said foyer, fixed means to support a coin in said foyer after entry through said slot, a second slot in said foyer in a wall opposite said coin passage and arranged to receive a coin to push the first coin through the passage into the other tube, and means to direct said second coin from the foyer into the tube beneath it.

7. A savings bank for coins comprising in combination; two adjacent, vertically disposed, parallel tubes having individual walls, a common Wall and end closures whereby to provide two coin storage compartments, a horizontal slot in the wall of a first tube opposite said common wall, means for guiding a coin from said slot and supporting it in a foyer in the upper end of said first tube, a ramp inclined upwardly from said supporting means and a passage above it leading to the other tube, a vertical slot in the opposite wall of said first tube intersecting the first slot, walls extending from the upper sides of said vertical slot toward said common wall to guide a coin entering said vertical slot to engage the edge of a coin in the foyer to press it up the ramp and through said passage to drop into the other tube, and said vertical slot opening directly into the first tube to pass the second coin into its storage compartment.

8. A savings bank for coins comprising in combination; two adjacent, vertically disposed, parallel tubes having individual walls, a common wall and end closures whereby to provide two coin storage compartments, a horizontal slot in the wall of a first tube opposite said common wall, laterally spaced apart shelf means extending horizontally from the lower edge of said slot toward the common wall and defining a foyer in the upper end of said first tube for the reception and support of a coin introduced through said slot, an opening through said common wall for passage of said coin from the foyer into the other tube for deposit therein, fixed means to resist movement of the coin through said opening, a vertical slot in the said opposite wall intersecting the horizontal slot therein for the passage of a second coin into the first tube between said spaced shelf means to thereby engage and push the first coin over said fixed means and into the second tube, said vertical slot delivering said second coin directly into the first tube after the first coin is pushed out of the foyer.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 484,310 Goldsmith Oct. 11, 1892 774,707 Stephens Nov. 8, 1904 993,979 Gates May 30, 1911 2,598,010 Pillatsch May 27, 1952 3,095,139 Randall et a1. June 25, 1963 FOREIGN PATENTS 960,040 Germany March 14, 1957 

6. A COIN BANK FOR TWO SAVERS WHO MUST MATCH DEPOSITS COIN-FOR-COIN HAVING IN COMBINATION; TWO ADJACENT TRANSPARENT TUBES EACH SIZED TO STACK COINS FLATWISE AND HAVING TOP AND BOTTOM WALLS AND A COMMON INTERMEDIATE WALL, A COIN PASSAGE THROUGH SAID INTERMEDIATE WALL, A FOYER IN THE UPPER END OF ONE OF SAID TUBES, A FIRST SLOT IN ONE OUTER WALL OF SAID FOYER, FIXED MENS TO SUPPORT A COIN IN SAID FOYER AFTER ENTRY THROUGH SAID SLOT, A SECOND SLOT IN SAID FOYER IN A WALL OPPOSITE SAID COIN PASSAGE AND ARRANGED TO RECEIVE A COIN TO PUSH THE FIRST COIN THROUGH THE PASSAGE INTO THE OTHER TUBE, AND MEANS TO DIRECT SAID SECOND COIN FROM THE FOYER INTO THE TUBE BENEATH IT. 